In 2006, Anaheim Ducks forward Todd Fedoruk tussled with Minnesota Wild heavyweight Derek Boogaard. At the time Boogaard, who was found dead Friday in his Minneapolis apartment, was an up-and-comer.

He made a name for himself with a dominating win over Fedoruk.

“The shot that he gave me — how bad of an injury it caused, career-ending, maybe — really put him on a level where people realized ‘this guy is dangerous,’ ” Fedoruk told Newsday. The Ducks tough guy had reconstructive surgery to repair a shattered cheekbone after the punch.

Ironically, one year later, Fedoruk was claimed off waivers and joined Boogaard in Minnesota. He harboured no ill will toward his old battling mate.

“There are certain things about character and personality that mirrors each one of us in the NHL at that level of fighting,” Fedoruk said. “The common ground of honour and respect for the other guys, it goes without saying. There was never an uncomfortable feeling.

“I think in his prime, he was No. 1,” Fedoruk said. “I don’t think there was anyone tougher in the league. There were few and far between who wanted to fight him.

“He fought with passion and vigour. He wanted to destroy you, as a fighter would. People knew that and knew he was capable of that. They were prepared to deal with him but never wanted to.”

Bruins stand by struggling Kaberle

To contend things have not worked out as intended for both the Boston Bruins and Tomas Kaberle, would be something of an understatement.

Since being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kaberle has been the proverbial square peg in a round hole.

His performance so far in the post-season’s done nothing to dissuade the thought.

He has just two playoff points and had only nine points in 24 regular-season games as a Bruin.

Touted as an offensive saviour, Kaberle hasn’t produced, but head coach Claude Julien says the offensive struggle isn’t his alone.

“I think there’s no doubt people have looked at him as a saviour because their power play had been struggling,” Julien told NHL.com after Monday’s practice. “He’s just a piece of the puzzle. And it’s unfortunate, but there’s the other guys on the power play that have the responsibility to do the job, as well.”

Kaberle was a top-two defenceman with the Leafs, but now he’s averaging less than 14 minutes of even-strength duty per game.

“I think I can play better, obviously,” Kaberle said Monday. “I would like to help my teammates more.”

Datsyuk had bond with Boogaard

In the summer of 2009, then-Minnesota Wild forward Derek Boogaard travelled to Ekaterinburg, Russia, to help Detroit Red Wings centre Pavel Datsyuk run his hockey school.

The two formed a bond — one of the NHL’s most dynamic skill players and one of the league’s most feared tough guys — so naturally, Datsyuk was stunned to hear of Boogaard’s sudden and tragic death Friday at the age of 28.

“I know him a little bit,” Datsyuk said. “He comes to my town a few years ago. He comes to Russia. I got to spend some time with him, hung out with him. A nice guy. It’s so shocking. He come to my camp and when I meet him, he’s a real nice guy. I’m still shocked. I still can’t believe it. I don’t know what to say. He’s so young.”

Hawks Brouwer played through shoulder injury

Chicago Blackhawks winger Troy Brouwer finished out the season in a lengthy slump, going 22 games without a goal then pointless against Vancouver in seven playoff games.

The Hawks revealed this week that the physical winger was battling a shoulder injury that had been bothering him all season.

“Brouwer underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a right shoulder labral tear which had been symptomatic intermittently throughout the season,” team physician Michael Terry said to the Chicago Sun Times.

Brouwer broke out with a 22-goal season in 2009-10, but dropped to 17 goals this past season.

The Hawks have a decision to make — Brouwer is a restricted free agent this summer. He made $1.05 million US this year.

“His offensive production was down a little bit, but he was one of the more physical guys on the team,” GM Stan Bowman told the Sun Times. “I know he was in the top five or six in the league in hits. He showed some versatility. I would’ve liked to see a little more production. I’m sure he would’ve as well, but sometimes those things come and go.”

Ice chips:

Boston’s Patrice Bergeron (concussion) skated for the third straight practice, but the Bruins won’t say whether he’ll play in Game 2 against Tampa. . . . The Sabres have raised their season-ticket prices by approximately five per cent. . . . Pittsburgh expects to enter into negotiations with unrestricted free agents Pascal Dupuis and Mike Rupp in the next few weeks.

They said it:

“It was pretty scary there. I didn’t remember anything, really. It took a few hours to get that back.” — Red Wings forward Dan Cleary, to the Detroit Free Press, after being nailed with a hit by teammate Jiri Hudler in the Wings’ final game against San Jose. It was the first concussion in Cleary’s career.

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